Roxon tells Abbott to kick tobacco donations habit

Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon has revealed that 97 per cent of British American Tobacco's political donations worldwide last year went to the Liberal and National parties.

The Government is continuing to pressure the Opposition to reveal if it will back the Government's plan to force tobacco companies to sell cigarettes in plain packs.

In Parliament today, Ms Roxon highlighted that British American Tobacco focuses most of its global donations on the Coalition.

She revealed that the tobacco company makes political donations in only three countries in the world - and Australia accounts for nearly all of that spending.

"The fact is British American Tobacco gives 97 per cent of its donations to those in the parties opposite - the Liberal Party and the National Party - it's time to kick the habit Mr Abbott," she said.

"Their worldwide policy when it comes to donations is and I quote, 'That such payments can only be made for the purpose of influencing the debate on issues affecting the company'.

"British American Tobacco, according to their own figures, made political donations in only three countries around the world in 2010.

"In Canada, they made a donation of £1,000 ($1,500), in the Solomon Islands they made a donation of £2,000 ($3,000) and in Australia they made a donation, just to two parties in this place of £111,000 ($170, 720).

"Ninety-seven per cent of British American Tobacco's money is spent here on two parties - the Liberal Party and the National Party."

Prime Minister Julia Gillard pressured the Opposition over the plain packaging laws by putting the spotlight on tensions in the Coalition.

She said the Opposition is distracted by a leaked email showing that the Opposition whip had criticised Coalition MPs, including former leader Malcolm Turnbull, for missing some votes.

"They don't care about climate change, they're sceptics; they don't care about smoking, they're too big on the drip from big tobacco to take anything about smoking seriously," she said.

"Well maybe the smoke they care about is the smoke that shows there's a fire of division over there in the Opposition."